I don't have a big problem with Vanderbilt deciding not to suspend Stallings. The bigger issue is the on-going prevalence of boorish, autocratic, "kick-'em in the butt" style coaches in this country, especially at the high school and youth levels.

There is far more to Dean Smith's legacy than 879 basketball victories, an Olympic gold medal victory in 1976, two Division I National Championships and an astonishing 11 Final Four appearances. There is the far-from-simple virtue of a life well lived.

Kyle Wiltjer kept Gonzaga's unbeaten conference record alive this week with huge games against Pacific and St. Mary's. The Portland, Ore. native has been named NetScouts Basketball's National Player of the Week for games from February 16th to February 22nd.

This year's All-Star Game was a blast, continuing the high-scoring trend we've seen lately in these yearly exhibitions. Fans vote in players they love to see put the ball in the basket, and it'd be silly to deny them that right.

Darrun Hilliard had a clutch week for Villanova in tough road wins at Providence and Butler. The Bethlehem, Pa. native has been named NetScouts Basketball's National Player of the Week for games from February 9th to February 15th.

While Stern's decree was intended to protect his own brand in a manner that would make Roger Goodell blush, the dress code has proven to be mutually beneficial. A rule that was so despised has spawned a new financial opportunity for the players.

The other night I put aside this pessimism as my eyes opened to some truly amazing stories of humanity in sports. If you want to see what is still great about athletes, just attend a local Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

While LeBron James and Kevin Durant might be some of the biggest success stories out of the league, perhaps it's time to pause and celebrate the league itself for its efforts to create a more inclusive environment for LBGT players and fans.

As players brought life and energy to the blacktops, the courts served as the place to realize dreams. With big audiences including players' friends and families taking notice of the passion and skill evolving before their eyes, it was only a matter of time until big corporations began exploring business opportunities.

A while back I wrote a blog post about athletes and social media. Ever since then I have been keeping an eye on athletes that seem to be using social media to maximum effect. One such example is Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) of the Golden State Warriors.

Let's stop pretending that heart problems belong to our parents. Prevention should start with our kids. Just like we check out kids eyes and ears in school, we should be checking their hearts too. Let's follow in the footsteps of the NBA.

In sports, we all love the "old days." Especially the ones that are a part of our childhood. They are not only memories, but feelings. The feelings make the memory that much larger than life. Sports is one of the only places where that can happen.

To the surprise of no one, New York Knicks inheritor James L. Dolan proved himself a bully and a jerk this week when he sent an email to a lifelong Knicks fan calling him a miserable person and an "alcoholic maybe".